Rajamouli Marks Priyanka Chopra Birthday With Varanasi Stills
S.S. Rajamouli marks Priyanka Chopra Jonas' birthday with two new character stills from Varanasi, released Saturday. The images show the star as Mandakini in the director's epic follow-up to Oscar-winning RRR, set to open in theaters worldwide on April 7, 2027.
Key Takeaways
- Two new character stills of Priyanka Chopra Jonas from S.S. Rajamouli's Varanasi dropped Saturday for her birthday.
- Chopra Jonas plays Mandakini opposite Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the sprawling epic.
- Varanasi is Rajamouli's follow-up to Academy Award-winning RRR, with MM Keeravani returning to score.
- The film opens in theaters worldwide on April 7, 2027.
- Chopra Jonas has called the production career-defining as she returns to Indian cinema.
The birthday drop is a clear marketing beat for one of Indian cinema's most anticipated titles. Fans tracking Streaming & TV Alerts now have a fresh look at Chopra Jonas' Mandakini look ahead of the 2027 release.
According to Variety, the stills were issued Saturday specifically to mark the actor's birthday.
What Do the New Varanasi Images Show?
The release features two character stills of Chopra Jonas from Varanasi. She plays Mandakini, a part Rajamouli has said needs both toughness and vulnerability in the same arc.
"She can be a really kick-ass girl, and she has to be really vulnerable. [There are] very few actors who can do both in the same character," Rajamouli told Variety. "She did a fantastic job, and I'm so happy that I have her on board."
Who Stars Alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas?
Mahesh Babu takes dual roles as protagonist Rudhra and Hindu God Rama. Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the main antagonist, Kumbha.
Variety reports the story spans thousands of years and multiple continents, with locations ranging from Antarctica to Africa to the titular Indian city of Varanasi.
Why Does This Birthday Drop Matter for Fans?
Varanasi marks Chopra Jonas' return to Indian cinema after a run of Hollywood projects including Citadel and The Matrix Resurrections. She has described the production as career-defining.
"If there was any way of coming back to Indian cinema, it would be with the biggest Indian movie being made, and that undertaking is this film," she said. She also compared Rajamouli's vision to filmmakers like Spielberg, Nolan, and Fincher.
The project follows Rajamouli's RRR, which won an Academy Award. Composer MM Keeravani, who won the Oscar for RRR's "Naatu Naatu," is returning to score the new film. Theatrical release is set for April 7, 2027 worldwide.